Method and apparatus for position identification

ABSTRACT

A position identification system, that employs satellite navigational or similar positioning technology is provided. The position identification system eliminates the need for estimating the location of a desired position and iteratively adjusting the placement of a range pole. In one embodiment, the position identification system includes an antenna/receiver for receiving position signals from a positioning system; an orientation device that is configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis; a pointing element that operates in conjunction with the orientation device to identify a desired position; and a processor that is coupled to the antenna/receiver to receive the position signals. The processor computes a current position of the position identification system based upon the position signals and directs the orientation device based upon the current position and the desired position. Using the positioning system, a pointing device is used to identify the desired location to the user of the positioning system. The positioning system receives a first position corresponding to the desired location. A second position is determined corresponding to the device&#39;s current location. Then, when the pointing element is be oriented such that the pointing element is substantially aligned with the first position, the desired location may be identified by activating the pointing element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to navigating to a predetermined positionusing positioning information from satellite navigational equipment orsimilar positioning technology.

2. Art Background

The art of surveying and mapping has dramatically changed through theuse of satellite navigation equipment. Satellite survey devices includereceivers that receive position signals from the global positioningsystem (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) receiver orother satellite or pseudolite systems. The position signals are used tocompute the position of the receiver.

While selective availability (S/A) and environmental conditions maydegrade the position signals to 100 meter accuracy, differentialcorrection (DGPS) and real time kinematic (RTK) processes may beemployed increase accuracy to the within 1 to 2 centimeter accuracy. RTKand real time computation of DGPS both require the use of an additionalradio frequency receiver for reception of additional data that is usedto compute a corrected, more accurate, position. Thus, the satellitesurvey device which is typically called the "rover device", includes arange pole for identifying the point for which a location is to becomputed, a user input/output device for entry and display ofinformation and data, a satellite receiver and a radio receiver.

A simplified drawing of a user employing prior art surveying equipmentis shown in FIG. 1. The range pole 110 has attached to it an antenna 120for receiving GPS signals and a circular level or vial 130. The user 140holds the range pole 110 and moves the range pole 110 about until thelevel 130 indicates that the range pole 100 is vertically oriented andthe bottom of the pole touches a location to be surveyed, such aslocation 150, 151 or 152. Once vertically oriented, the informationreceived via the GPS antenna can be used to accurately compute theposition of the location (150, 151 or 152). Typically, the user willhave a backpack 160 that includes a wireless link, such as a radio modem170, for receiving additional data, e.g., correction signals, from areference station, e.g., a differential GPS (DGPS) base station. UsingDGPS technology, more precise measurements are obtained. The backpack160 also contains equipment and circuits for generating positionalinformation based upon the signals received through antenna 120 andwireless link 170. The data collection device 100 enables the user tomake manual entries, and also provides a visual reading of the surveymeasurements obtained.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a typical method of navigating to a knownposition will now be described. The user 140 navigates to a location ofinterest 152 by inputting the desired position in latitude and longitude(or any convenient x, y, z coordinate system) to the survey device andthen following on screen directions such as an indication of thedirection and distance from the user's current position. The on screenindications are useful while the user 140 is approaching the location ofinterest 152 from a distance; however, the on screen indication maychange wildly when the user 140 is very close to the desired position.Therefore, once the user 140 is within a few meters, the user's pacemust be slowed to assure the point 152 is not passed over. When the user140 has identified an estimated location (150, 151, 152) that isbelieved to be the location of interest 152, the process of confirmingthe estimated location (150, 151, 152) may begin. This iterative processtypically involves placing the range pole 110 over the estimatedlocation (150, 151, 152), leveling the range pole 110, receiving ameasurement, and adjusting the placement of the range pole 110. Thisconfirmation process continues until the measurement received matchesthe position of the location of interest 152. In the example depicted,at t1, the user 140 initially estimated the desired location 152 to beat location 150. After receiving feedback from the input/output device,at t2, the user 140 adjusted the placement of the range pole 110 tolocation 151. Upon receiving the second measurement, the user 140adjusted the placement of the range pole 110 to location 152 at t3. Atthis point, the user 140 received confirmation that the range pole 110was in fact positioned over the desired location 152.

In light of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to eliminate theiterative and time consuming process of receiving a position measurementand adjusting the placement of the range pole until the desired locationis found. Thus, it is desirable to provide an accurate survey devicewith an integrated pointing device for identifying the location ofinterest to the user from a distance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a surveying device, referred to as aposition identification system, that employs satellite navigational orsimilar positioning technology. The position identification systemeliminates the need for estimating the location of a desired positionand iteratively adjusting the placement of a range pole. In oneembodiment, the position identification system includes anantenna/receiver for receiving position signals from a positioningsystem; an orientation device that is configured to rotate about a firstaxis and a second axis; a pointing element that operates in conjunctionwith the orientation device to identify a desired position; and aprocessor that is coupled to the antenna/receiver to receive theposition signals. The processor computes a current position of theposition identification system based upon the position signals anddirects the orientation device based upon the current position and thedesired position.

Using the positioning system, a pointing device is used to identify thedesired location to the user of the positioning system. The positioningsystem receives a first position corresponding to the desired location.A second position is determined corresponding to the device's currentlocation. Then, when the pointing element is oriented such that thepointing element is substantially aligned with the first position, thedesired location may be identified by activating the pointing element.Advantageously, in this manner, the need for iteratively confirmingestimated locations is eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent toone skilled in the art from the following detailed description in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified prior art drawing of a Global Positioning Systemsurveying device.

FIG. 2 is a simplified drawing of a survey device according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and FIG. 3B are simplified illustrations of embodiments of ahandheld surveying device of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a simplified block diagram illustrating various functionalunits according to one embodiment of the surveying system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B illustrates an alternate embodiment of the surveying system ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating the positionidentification processing according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate views of the handheld surveying deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a diagram used to describe exemplary computations that may beperformed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram used to describe exemplary computations that may beperformed in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary transformation from a receivercoordinate system to a neutral coordinate system.

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary orientation deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled inthe art that these specific details are not required in order topractice the present invention. In other instances, well knownelectrical structures and circuits are shown in block diagram form.

The surveying device of the present invention provides an improvedmethod of identifying a known location of interest by eliminating theiterative and time consuming confirmation process described above. Asimplified illustration of an exemplary surveying device is shown inFIG. 2. As discussed further below, when the user 140 is within apredetermined distance of the desired position, the device may be usedto identify the location of the position by illuminating the point 250on the ground using a small, eye-safe, visible, fine beam laser orsimilar pointing device. Using the device, the user 140 can identify thelocation 250 of a particular position. In this manner, the deviceeliminates the need for the location estimation and adjustment cyclerequired by prior art survey devices, such as that described withrespect to FIG. 1.

In addition to the equipment described above for accurately computing acurrent position, the survey system may include a handheld device 200, arange pole 210, an orientation device 270, and a pointing device 280.The handheld device 200 includes appropriate circuitry and software toprocess positioning information from the global positioning system(GPS), or similar system, as well as to process correction signals toadjust the positioning information received to determine a corrected,more accurate current position. Additionally, the handheld device 200includes circuitry and software for controlling and commanding theorientation device 270 and the pointing device 280. For example,according to one embodiment of the present invention, upon determiningthe desired location 250 is within a predetermined distance of thecurrent location, the pointing device may be activated causing it toilluminate the desired location 250 with a highly visible laser beam290. In alternative embodiments, the handheld device 200 is anintegrated controller that is mounted to the range pole 210 rather thanbeing carried separately.

Alternate embodiments are illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. In theseembodiments, the orientation device 350 and the pointing device 355 aremounted to the housing of a handheld survey device 335 and the rangepole 210 may be eliminated.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3B certain components are placed in afanny pack 305 which hooks around the user's waist with a belt. Forexample, the equipment for maintaining the wireless link, such as radiomodem 170 and the data storage device may be placed in the fanny pack305, freeing up space in the handheld portion 335 of the device.However, it is preferred that the pointing device 355, the orientationdevice 350, GPS antenna and digital level and heading device bemaintained in the handheld portion 335 of the device to allow accurateposition data to be measured and facilitate position identification bythe pointing device 335.

Exemplary functional units that may be included in various embodimentsand distributed among the control unit mounted to the range pole 210,the handheld device 200, and the backpack 160 or fanny pack 305(collectively referred to as the survey system) will now be describedwith reference to the simplified block diagram of FIG. 4A. It should beappreciated all the functional units will be distributed between thefanny pack 305 and the handheld device (300 or 335) according to theembodiments depicted in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. In any event, the surveysystem 400 typically includes input/output elements, such as a displayand keypad 405, a processor 410, and related components such as memory,controllers and the like, a positioning antenna and receiver 415, aradio receiver 420, a digital level and heading element 430, a pointingdevice 450, an orientation device 460, and an attitude determiningdevice 470.

The input/output display and keypad 405 are used to provide feedback tothe user and enable the user to enter in information, such as notesregarding the survey process performed. Processor 410 performs thecomputations necessary to determine the distance and direction of thedesired position, and further controls the remaining elements to acquirethe data needed to perform these calculations. Processor 410 alsoperforms functions such as storing data in the memory for subsequentaccess, and displaying selective information on the display duringsurvey, such as an indication of the distance and direction of thedesired position relative to the user's current position.

The antenna and receiver 415 receive position information with respectto the location of the antenna of the device. In the present embodiment,equipment compatible with the Global Positioning System (GPS) areemployed. However, it is readily apparent an antenna and receivercompatible with other types of positioning systems may be employed.Other types of positioning systems include the Global OrbitingNavigation System (GLONASS), long-range navigation (LORAN-C) system,uncoordinated beacon signals, and pseudolite systems.

Once the position information is received, the difference in positionbetween the device and the desired position may be determined. Forexample, in one embodiment, the digital level and heading device 430identifies the tilt (also referred to as pitch) and the heading (alsoreferred to as yaw) at which the device is oriented. This provides datathat may be used to determine the relative position and orientation ofthe device with respect to the desired position. Thus, in embodimentsincorporating the digital level and heading device 430, there is no needfor the user to hold the handheld device in a specific orientation. Thedevice 430 may be embodied as two separate devices, one determining thelevel of the handheld device, and the other determining the heading, forexample. Alternately, the device 430 may be one integrated device. Oneexample of such a device is the TMCI which is available from PrecisionNavigation Ltd., Sunnyvale, Calif.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the system 400 mayalso include an attitude determining device 470 for determining theangular orientation of the device, such as a flux gate compass or TANSvector system.

Referring now to the pointing device 450, this device provides anindication to the user of the location of the desired position. In oneembodiment, a laser pointer is used. The laser pointer illuminates aspot on a surface of the ground corresponding to the location of thedesired position input by the user. An exemplary laser module that mayserve as the pointing device 350 is the MLX-635 manufactured by RPMC ofSt. Charles, Mo.

According to one embodiment, the pointing device 450 is mounted to theorientation device 460. The orientation device 460 is oriented basedupon parameters, such as an indication of the desired bearing andelevation, received from the processor 410. In this manner, theorientation device 460 provides a mechanism by which the pointing device450 may be aligned with the desired position. In one embodiment, theorientation device 460 may provide freedom of movement about a first anda second axis. For instance, the orientation device 460 may be similarto a miniature turret, which rotates about a base to the appropriateheading and raises or lowers the pointing device 450 to the appropriateangle relative to the horizontal. In an alternative embodiment, thepointing device 450 may remain in a fixed position and the orientationdevice 460 is a deflection mechanism such as a piezo-electricallycontrolled mirror. In this manner, the pointing device 450 may remainstationary and the orientation device 460 aligns the laser beam with thedesired position by appropriately adjusting the angle of the deflectionmechanism. In this embodiment, for the largest degree of freedom forcontrolling the direction of the laser beam, the pointing device 450 ispreferably fixed in a vertical position perpendicular to the measurementplatform (e.g., the handheld device).

Importantly, while the pointing device 450 and the orientation device460 are depicted as separate functional units, they need not bephysically separate components. Rather, the orientation device 460 maybe integrated within the pointing device 450 to control the laser beaminternal to the pointing device 450. Additionally, the orientationdevice 460 need not be a mechanical mechanism. Those of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate various other means for orienting thepointing device 450, are available. For example, in one embodiment, thepointing device 450 may comprise one or more optical fibers that arepositioned by manipulating an electrostatic field though which the oneor more optical fibers pass.

In alternative embodiments, a ranging device 440 may also be included toprovide the user with feedback and allow for correction of a twodimensional position that may be located on a rising slope, for example.The ranging device 440 may be used to measure the distance between thedevice and the indicated location of the desired position. Preferably,the measuring element 440 is any compact measuring device that functionsto non-obtrusively measure the distance between the device and thelocation indicated by pointing device 450. In addition, it is preferablethat the ranging device 440 not require an additional device, such as areflective object, to be placed at the indicated location. One exampleof such a measuring device 440 is a sonic-based measuring system, whichsonically determines the distance between the measuring device 440 andanother location. Another device 440 that can be used is a laser-basedmeasuring device that uses the time of flight or performs a phasecomparison in order to measure the distance. Examples of measuringelement products include Criterion by Laser Technology Colorado, andPulsar by IBEO, Hamburg, Germany.

Preferably, the system 400 is also capable of performing one or morecorrection techniques for improving the position fix accuracy. Forexample, the system 400 may include a radio receiver 420 for receivingadditional data, such as RTK data, differential GPS correction signals,or other data for increasing the accuracy of the measurements.Correction signals may be transmitted by a DGPS base station, forexample, and received by the radio receiver 420. These correctionsignals are then used to adjust the positioning data received throughthe GPS antenna and receiver 415. Although in the present embodiment, aseparate antenna/receiver is used, it is contemplated that oneantenna/receiver can be used to receive position signals and correctionsignals. In one embodiment, the radio receiver 420 may comprise aTrimTalk 900 radio modem manufactured by Trimble Navigation Limited.Importantly, however, the radio receiver 420 may be any device capableof supporting a wireless link with the base station, such as a wirelessor cellular modem, a radio receiver or other RF capable device. Further,when direct radio communication between the reference station and therover device may be obscured, the radio receiver 420 may be configuredto operate with one or more repeaters. Additionally, it should beappreciated that additional elements may be added to the system toprovide additional functionality and application-specific features asmay be required for various applications.

FIG. 4B is a simplified block diagram of an alternate embodiment of thesystem of the present invention. The device 460 is controlled by systemcontroller and transform calculator 462. Positioning signals arereceived via a GPS antenna 464 and input to GPS Receiver/Processor 466.Then, the GPS Receiver/Processor may perform differential correctionusing data received via a differential receiver antenna 468 and receiver470. As is readily apparent to one skilled in the art, however, otherforms of correction may be employed. One such method is known in the artas the RTK method in which a reference GPS station positioned at a knownlocation receives well known GPS observables and makes them availablevia a radio link, for example, in real-time to the rover device. Therover device may then processes those observables as well as its ownobservables to determine a more accurate position fix relative to thereference station. The method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,620 ofTalbot et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

In any event, positioning data is transferred to the system controllerand transform calculator 462 by GPS receiver processor 466. Transforms,examples of which are described below, are applied to the positioningdata received based upon the pitch, roll, yaw, and bearing of the deviceas indicated by various meters such as the tilt meter 472 (e.g., one ormore inclinometers), heading meter 474, and others described previously.The resulting parameters may be used to orient the laser pointer 478 sothat it will illuminate the location of the desired position when thelaser is activated.

The system 460 also may include a battery or other power source 480 usedto power the device 460, a keyboard 482 to enable the user to input datasuch as notes or the like, and a display 484 to provide the usualfeedback to the user. Data storage 486 is also included for temporaryand semi-permanent storage of data collected and computed in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention.

An exemplary process for performing position identification will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 5. Initially, a position is receivedfrom the user, for example, representing the desired position that is tobe located. At step 515, the current position of the survey device isdetermined based upon position information received from positioningsystem signals and additionally based upon correction signals, ifavailable. At step 520, the orientation parameters of the survey deviceare determined. At step 525, the distance from the survey device to thedesired position is calculated using the current position determined instep 515. According to the embodiment depicted, at step 530, acomparison is performed to determine if the distance from the desiredlocation is within a predefined range. Preferably, the predefined rangeis less than or equal to the range of the laser diode used in thepointing device. At any rate, if the condition is satisfied, thenprocessing continues with step 535; otherwise processing continues withstep 550. At step 535, parameters for aligning the pointing element withthe desired position are calculated. For example, the appropriatebearing and angle of elevation to bring the pointing element inalignment with the desired position are determined. At step 540, theparameters calculated at step 535 are used to orient the pointingelement. Finally, at step 545, the pointing element is activated so asto illuminate the location corresponding to the desired position. If thesurvey device was determined not to be within the predetermined range atstep 530, then at step 550, the pointing element may be deactivated. Atstep 555, an on-screen indication of the direction and distance relativeto the user's current heading and position may be provided to the user.In alternative embodiments, rather than deactivating the pointingelement and providing an on-screen indication of the distance anddirection to the desired position, the pointing device may be configuredto provide the indication. For example, the pointing device may sweep orpoint in the appropriate direction. At step 560, a determination is madeas to whether new position information has become available. If so, theprocess may be repeated starting with step 515. In this manner, whilethe user remains within the predetermined range, the pointing devicewill track the location of the desired position. In should beappreciated in alternative embodiments the pointing device may bemanually activated/deactivated rather than being activated anddeactivated based on the distance to the desired position.

Thus, a user can easily navigate to and locate a desired positionwithout performing the iterative estimation and confirmation cyclerequired with survey devices of the prior art.

FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom view of the handheld surveying device 300according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pointingdevice 355 is shown before and after the orientation device 350 has beenrotated θ degrees in azimuth. FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of thehandheld surveying device 300 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The pointing device 355 is shown before and after theorientation device 350 has rotated it -.O slashed. degrees in elevation.

Having illustrated how the pointing device may be positioned, exemplarybearing and elevation calculations to be performed by the survey deviceof the present invention will now be described with respect to FIG. 6C.To orient the pointing device at a known position given in latitude andlongitude (or any x,y,z coordinate system) such that it is in alignmentwith the coordinates of a predetermined position, the followingcoordinate transform is used. For purposes of explanation, a localcoordinate system in x, y, z as shown in FIG. 6C is defined, where xcorresponds to East, y corresponds to North, and altitude corresponds toz. The origin is centered on the souce of the laser beam. Thecoordinates of the origin are referred to by x_(o), y_(o), z_(o). Thecoordinates of the point 620 to be identified are called x_(o) ', y_(o)', z_(o) '. Let .O slashed. be the elevation of the laser beam indegrees from horizontal. Let θ be the angle of the laser beam projectedon the local horizontal plane (x, y) representing the bearing fromsurvey device azimuth. Angles .O slashed. and θ may be determined asfollows relative to true north and relative to a level measurementplatform: ##EQU1##

Ultimately, the attitude of the survey device should be delivered to aright and regular orientation either by holding the device true northand level in two horizontal planes or, as is well known in the art, thecalculations above may be modified to incorporate the orientation of theplatform by using the attitude of the survey device (the measurementplatform) such as may be determined by two inclinometers mounted atright angles to each other as shown in FIG. 7. Such inclinometers mayhave electronic readout means coupled to the system controller andtransform calculator 462 thereby allowing offsets from the twohorizontal planes to be automatically taken into consideration by thesystem controller and transform calculator 462.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the handheld device 705 may include twoinclinometers, such as bubble inclinometers 710 and 715, orientedperpendicular to one another. While in the embodiment depicted the twoinclinometers 710, 715 are located in the same elevational plane, it isappreciated in alternative embodiments they may be located at anyelevation (Δz) independently of one another. The first inclinometer 710measures the tilt of the device along the lengthwise axis (angle α) inthe yz plane which corresponds to "pitch." The second inclinometer 715measures the tilt along the width-wise axis (angle β) in the xz planewhich corresponds to "roll." If the survey device 705 is to be handheld,then the inclinometer measurements (e.g., α and β) and the surveydevice's orientation as measured by the appropriate device may be usedin conjunction with an additional coordinate transformation to accountfor the attitude of the survey device 705. Mechanisms for targeting andpointing to objects from a given platform and making measurements onthat platform to determine what the coordinates are of the distant pointare well known and are discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,152 ofJanky et al. entitled "Integrated Image Transfer for Remote TargetLocation" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,318 of Janky et al. entitled "SATPSDynamic Surveying from a Moving Platform" the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 8 is useful for describing an exemplary matrix transformation froma receiver coordinate system (x_(r), y_(r), z_(r)) to a neutralcoordinate system (x_(rt), y_(rt), z _(rt)) to account for the attitudeof the receiver 800. A receiver axis 825 is projected onto a horizontalplane 820 to produce a projected receiver axis 805. A receiver-targetseparation vector, v, is projected onto the horizontal plane 820 toproduce a projection of the receiver-target separation vector 810. Theexemplary matrix transformation is then as follows: ##EQU2##

Referring now to FIG. 9, a simplified block diagram of an exemplaryorientation device 900 will now be described. According to thisembodiment, the orientation device 900 comprises a servo controlledpointing system 925. Such pointing systems are well known. For example,the techniques used to point the laser are similar to those used byradar or satellite antenna engineers to perform tracking of a distantobject with servo control where the servo input here, however, is anarbitrary control signal (e.g., bearing and elevation values) ratherthan a signal from the source itself.

At any rate, according to the embodiment depicted, the servo controlledpointing system 925 includes a bearing motor 905 for rotating thepointing device about a first axis in azimuth and an elevation motor 910for rotating the pointing device about a second axis in elevation. Thebearing motor 905 is coupled to a control/readout device 915 whichcontrols the bearing motor 905 based upon bearing commands. Theelevation motor 905 is coupled to a control/readout device 915 whichcontrols the elevation motor 910 based upon elevation commands. Thecontrol/readout devices 915, 920 each include a servo motor controlsystem to allow independent control of the attached servo motor. Thecontrol/readout devices 915, 920 also provide an electronic means ofreading out the current degree of rotation of servo motors 905, 910 (inazimuth and elevation, respectively). In this manner, the processor orsystem controller may monitor the progress of the pointing system.

Many alternative embodiments are contemplated by the inventor of thepresent invention. For example, the inventor envisions uses of thepresent invention in connection with locating buried objects. By way ofillustration, rather than providing an indication of a fixed point, thesurvey device may be configured to sweep out the direction in whichburied cables or utilities lie. Additionally, if the size of a buriedobject is known, the shape of the object may be drawn on the ground withthe pointing device.

Further, the location of physical position marks may be located byincorporating the techniques disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 08/026,574 and 08/578,998, entitled "Location and Generation ofHigh Accuracy Survey Control Marks Using Satellites" filed on May 4,1993 and Jan. 16, 1996 respectively, which are incorporated herein byreference. While the method and apparatus described herein may be usedby surveyors looking for points of interest in their business ofperforming stake out, they may also be used by many other people fortargeting activities to point to where things might be relative to ameasurement platform.

The invention has been described in conjunction with the preferredembodiment. It is evident that numerous alternatives, modifications,variations and uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art inlight of the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A position identification system comprising:anantenna/receiver receiving position signals from a positioning system;an orientation device configured to rotate about a first axis and asecond axis; a pointing element operating in conjunction with theorientation device to identify a desired, known position; and aprocessor coupled to the antenna/receiver to receive the positionsignals, the processor computing a current position of the positionidentification system based upon the position signals, and directing theorientation device based upon the current position and the desired,known position.
 2. The position identification system of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to determine bearing andelevation values for directing the orientation device.
 3. The positionidentification system of claim 1, further comprising a level and headingelement that determines a tilt and orientation of the positionidentification system.
 4. The position identification system of claim 1,wherein the antenna/receiver receives Global Positioning System (GPS)signals.
 5. The position identification system of claim 1, wherein thepointing element is a laser pointer.
 6. The position identificationsystem of claim 1 further comprising a ranging device for measuring thedistance between the position identification system and another point.7. The position identification system of claim 1, further comprising asecond antenna/receiver for receiving correction signals to adjust theposition signals.
 8. A method of identifying a desired, known locationto the user of a survey device, the method comprising the stepsof:receiving a first position corresponding to the desired, knownlocation; determining a second position corresponding to the surveydevice's current location; and orienting a pointing element to anorientation in which the pointing element is substantially aligned withthe first position; and identifying the desired, known location byactivating the pointing element.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinposition signals are received over an antenna/receiver and the step ofdetermining a second position corresponding to the survey device'slocation is based upon the position signals.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the position signals are Global Positioning System (GPS)signals.
 11. The method of claim 10, further including the step ofreceiving correction signals to adjust the position signals.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, further including the steps of:determining thedistance between the first position and the second position and thedirection of the first position relative to the second position; and ifthe distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, then providing anon-screen indication of the direction and distance to the desired, knownlocation.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the survey device is ahandheld device.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising the stepof determining a bearing and elevation for orienting the pointingelement.
 15. The method of claim 8, wherein the survey device is ahandheld device, the method further comprising the step of determiningthe attitude, and orientation of the handheld device.
 16. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the pointing element is a laser pointer.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein the step of identifying the desired location byactivating the pointing element causes the desired location to beilluminated with a visible laser beam.
 18. The method of claim 16,further including the step of sweeping out a pattern with the laserpointer.
 19. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of determining asecond position corresponding to the survey device's current locationcomprises determining the survey device's current location relative to alocation of a reference station.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising the step of receiving observables from the reference station.21. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of performing acorrection technique to improve accuracy of the second position.
 22. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the survey device comprises a roverconfigured to receive data from a reference station and the step ofdetermining a second position corresponding to the survey device'scurrent location includes using real time kinematic (RTK) processes todetermine the second position.
 23. A position identification systemoperated by a user comprising:an antenna/receiver receiving positionsignals; a pointing element for identifying a point corresponding to adesired, known position; an orientation device configured to align thepointing element with the desired, known position; and a processorcoupled to the antenna/receiver to receive the position signals fromwhich a current position is determined, the processor directing theorientation device to a bearing and elevation, the bearing and elevationbeing calculated based upon the desired, known position and the currentposition.
 24. The position identification system of claim 23, whereinthe pointing element comprises one or more optical fibers.
 25. Theposition identification system of claim 24, wherein the orientationdevice aligns the pointing element by manipulating an electrostaticfield through which the one or more optical fibers pass.
 26. Theposition identification system of claim 23, wherein the pointing elementis a laser pointer.
 27. The position identification system of claim 26,wherein the pointing element is mounted to the orientation device, andwherein the orientation device provides movement about a first axis anda second axis.
 28. The position identification system of claim 26,wherein the orientation device includes one or more servo motors. 29.The position identification system of claim 23, further comprising aninterface configured to receive the desired, known position.
 30. Theposition identification system of claim 23, further comprising a radioupon which observables received by a reference station are madeavailable for determination of a position relative to the referencestation.
 31. A position identification system comprising:anantenna/receiver receiving position signals; an identification means foridentifying a point corresponding to a desired,known position; and aprocessor coupled to the antenna/receiver and to the identificationmeans, the processor determining a current position based on theposition signals and providing to the identification means a bearing andelevation to the desired, known position.
 32. The positionidentification system of claim 31, wherein the identification meansincludes:a pointing element; and a means for aligning the pointingelement with the desired known position based upon the bearing andelevation provided by the processor.
 33. The position identificationsystem of claim 32, wherein the pointing element comprises one or moreoptical fibers.
 34. The position identification system of claim 32,wherein the means for aligning the pointing element comprises anelectrostatic field through which the one or more optical fibers pass.35. The position identification system of claim 31, wherein the pointingelement is a laser pointer.